About the song
Bob Dylan’s performance of “Like A Rolling Stone” at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 stands as one of the most iconic moments in music history. This performance marked a pivotal turning point in Dylan’s career and the broader landscape of popular music. “Like A Rolling Stone,” released as a single in July 1965 and later featured on the album *Highway 61 Revisited*, is widely regarded as one of the greatest songs of all time. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, signaling Dylan’s shift from folk troubadour to rock pioneer.
The Newport Folk Festival had been a stronghold of traditional folk music, and Dylan was its beloved figure. His decision to go electric in 1965, however, shocked and polarized the audience. The set, which included “Like A Rolling Stone,” was met with a mix of boos and cheers, symbolizing the clash between folk purists and the new wave of rock music. Despite the controversy, this performance underscored Dylan’s relentless innovation and willingness to push artistic boundaries.
“Like A Rolling Stone” is a landmark song that encapsulates Dylan’s lyrical prowess and his revolutionary approach to music. The song’s six-minute length was unprecedented for a single at the time, breaking the conventional norms of radio-friendly formats. Its cutting lyrics, delivered with Dylan’s distinctive voice, tell the story of a fall from grace, resonating with a sense of disillusionment and defiance. The song’s electric arrangement, featuring Al Kooper’s iconic organ riff and Mike Bloomfield’s blistering guitar, was a radical departure from Dylan’s earlier acoustic sound.
The album *Highway 61 Revisited* is a cornerstone of Dylan’s discography, representing his full embrace of electric instrumentation and a more rock-oriented style. The album peaked at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and is celebrated for its groundbreaking fusion of rock, blues, and folk influences. Songs like “Ballad of a Thin Man,” “Desolation Row,” and the title track itself further established Dylan as a masterful songwriter and a profound cultural commentator.
The live performance of “Like A Rolling Stone” at Newport captured the raw energy and rebellious spirit of the mid-1960s. Dylan’s electric set, backed by members of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, was a bold statement that echoed the changing times. The performance not only solidified Dylan’s status as a visionary artist but also paved the way for the electrification of folk music and the evolution of rock.
For an older and educated audience, this moment in Dylan’s career is a powerful reminder of his impact on music and culture. “Like A Rolling Stone” remains a timeless anthem of transformation and resilience, its lyrics and melody continuing to inspire and challenge listeners. Dylan’s willingness to embrace change, even in the face of controversy, exemplifies the spirit of artistic courage and innovation.
In summary, Bob Dylan’s live performance of “Like A Rolling Stone” at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 is a defining moment in music history. The song’s powerful lyrics, combined with its groundbreaking electric arrangement, marked a significant shift in Dylan’s career and the evolution of popular music. This performance is a testament to Dylan’s enduring legacy as one of the most influential and transformative artists of our time.
Video
Lyrics
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
Threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you?
People call say ‘beware doll, you’re bound to fall’
You thought they were all kidding you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hanging out
Now you don’t talk so loud
Now you don’t seem so proud
About having to be scrounging your next meal
How does it feel, how does it feel?
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone
Ahh you’ve gone to the finest schools, alright Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
Nobody’s ever taught you how to live out on the street
And now you’re gonna have to get used to it
You say you never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He’s not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And say do you want to make a deal?
How does it feel, how does it feel?
To be on your own, with no direction home
A complete unknown, like a rolling stone
Ah you never turned around to see the frowns
On the jugglers and the clowns when they all did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain’t no good
You shouldn’t let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on a chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain’t it hard when you discovered that
He really wasn’t where it’s at
After he took from you everything he could steal
How does it feel, how does it feel?
To be on your own, with no direction home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone
Ahh princess on a steeple and all the pretty people
They’re all drinking, thinking that they’ve got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you better take your diamond ring, you better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him he calls you, you can’t refuse
When you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You’re invisible now, you’ve got no secrets to conceal
How does it feel, ah how does it feel?
To be on your own, with no direction home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone